Cerclage system

Abstract

A cerclage system for securing a fractured or weakened bone within a patient's body is provided. In a preferred embodiment the cerclage system includes a band formed to encircle the bone. Typically the band will be fabricated from a material having a high tensile strength such as a metal wire. A jacket supports the band in a spaced relationship from the bone. The jacket is resorbed by the patient's body.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for securing a fractured or weakened bone within a patient's body, comprising: an elongated first member formed to circle the bone, the first member having first and second ends; and   a second member operable for supporting said first member in a spaced relationship from the bone, said second member having a base oriented toward the bone and said second member having a head with an aperture through which the first member is inserted through, and said second member being independent of said first and second ends of said first members, wherein said second member is operable to be resorbed by a patient's body.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first member is tensionally stronger than said second member. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first member is formed from a metal. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said metal is a wire. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said second member has a major dimension generally transverse to said first member. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of said second members. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for securing a fractured or weakened bone within a patient's body, comprising: a first member formed to encircle the bone, said first member having first and second ends; and   a tubular second member encircling said first member, and said second member being slidable upon said first member with respect to said first member first and second ends operable for supporting said first member in a spaced relationship from the bone, wherein said second member is operable to be resorbed by a patient's body.   
     
     
       8. An apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said second member has an inner dimension large enough for multiple passes of said first member. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said second member has grooves to facilitate bending of said second member around a patient's bone. 
     
     
       10. A cerclage system for securing a fractured or weakened bone within a patient's body, comprising: a first member formed by a wire to circle the bone;   a second tubular member formed from a polymeric material, the second member having a series of annular grooves to facilitate the partial encircling of the bone by said second member, said first member extending through said second member, and said second member supporting said first member in a spaced relationship from the bone, wherein said second member is operable to be resorbed by the patient's body to allow normal blood flow past said first member after the bone has healed.   
     
     
       11. A cerclage system as described in claim 10 wherein said wire is a metallic wire. 
     
     
       12. A cerclage system as described in claim 10 wherein said second member has an interior dimension large enough for multiple passes of said first member. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus for securing, a fractured or weakened bone within a patient's body, comprising: a first member formed to circle the bone, said first member having first and second ends; and   a tubular second member encircling said first member, and said second member being slidable upon said first member with respect to said first member first and second ends operable for supporting said first member in a spaced relationship from the bone, said second member is operable to be resorbed by a patient's body whereby said first member is no longer securing the bone after the bone has healed.   
     
     
       14. An apparatus for securing a fractured or weakened bone within a patient's body, comprising: a first member formed to circle the bone;   a second member operable for supporting said first member in a spaced relationship from the bone, wherein said second member is operable to be resorbed by a patient's body; and   a third member contacting the bone and contacting the second member generally opposite said first member.   
     
     
       15. An apparatus for securing a fractured or weakened bone within a patient's body, comprising: an elongated first member formed to circle the bone having a first tensile strength; and   a second member coated onto and encircling said first member operable for supporting said first member in a spaced relationship from the bone, wherein said second member is operable to be resorbed by a patient's body.